ChimpDATA

Managing Care, Now and in the Future

Today nearly 500 chimpanzees live in sanctuaries across North America. These sanctuaries provide lifetime care to chimpanzees who were previously kept in research labs, entertainment settings or as pets in people’s homes.

To facilitate day-to-day care, sanctuary managers need quick and easy access to each animal’s records. These records are also essential for analyzing trends in arrival and mortality patterns, helping sanctuaries better plan for future needs.

In collaboration with North American chimpanzee sanctuaries and Lincoln Park Zoo's Project ChimpCARE, Lincoln Park Zoo’s ChimpDATA is providing a free, standardized electronic recordkeeping system and training sanctuary managers in its use. Harnessing the data in this system, zoo scientists will use computer models to project future demographic trends for each sanctuary.

The resulting information will give sanctuaries the tools they need to plan for the future. ChimpDATA will help them build sound business models and set appropriate fundraising goals, thus ensuring they can continue to serve the chimpanzees that rely on their care.